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What is "topgallant gale"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Topgallant gale

Gale \Gale\ (g[=a]l), n. [Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. gal furious, Icel. galinn, cf. Icel. gala to sing, AS. galan to sing, Icel. galdr song, witchcraft, AS. galdor charm, sorcery, E. nightingale; also, Icel. gj[=o]la gust of wind, gola breeze. Cf. Yell.]

  1. A strong current of air; a wind between a stiff breeze and a hurricane. The most violent gales are called tempests.

    Note: Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen (``moderate'') to about eighty (``very heavy'') miles an our.
    --Sir. W. S. Harris.

  2. A moderate current of air; a breeze.

    A little gale will soon disperse that cloud.
    --Shak.

    And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned From their soft wings.
    --Milton.

  3. A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity.

    The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting into what, in New England, is sometimes called a gale.
    --Brooke (Eastford).

    Topgallant gale (Naut.), one in which a ship may carry her topgallant sails.

Usage examples of "topgallant gale".

It was when they sank the Lizard at last, with a charming steady topgallant gale on the starboard quarter but with the plan of their voyage hopelessly disrupted, that Jack decided to go far south, keeping well over on the Brazil side for the current and the south-east trades to carry them down as quickly as possible to the forties, with their strong and constant westerly winds, leaving out the Cape of Good Hope altogether.

With the present sea running and the present speed required there was no question of hanging stages over the side, pinning the cloth and painting it there: the forecastle was too confined, and the waist, with its booms and the boats upon them had too little free run, while the gangways were in perpetual use, for the blessed north-north-easter had backed surprisingly in the course of the night - the weather was most unsettled - and although it was still a fine topgallant gale, it was now only one point free, so that continual attention to brace and bowline was called for, and very careful steering, to get the best out of her.